Articles
God's Order - 2.18.2024 Bulletin
God’s Order
Genesis chapters one through three, the opening of the Biblical text, could be considered three of the most important chapters in the entire Bible. Why? Because these chapters establish God’s order. The creation account details how the all-power God of the universe spoke the world into existence and placed everything in it exactly how He saw fit. Not only that, God gave the instructions for how mankind was to live.
In Genesis 1.2 after God created the heaven and the earth it says, “The earth was without form and void” (ESV) or “the earth was waste and void” (ASV). One definition of “waste” is a “a broad and empty expanse” (Merriam-Webster’s). In other words, the world was in disarray. As God continues the creation, He brings the world into order shaping it exactly how He wants it. In verse 3 God creates light, then in verse 4 separates the light into day and night. In verse 7 God separates the waters under the expanse from those above the expanse. God organized the light and waters how he wanted them. Then in verse 9 and 10, He organized the waters even more, and then produced dry land. As the account goes on, God produced vegetation and gave them their proper place, and created animals and mankind, and placed them in their proper habitat. The whole of the creation account points to God setting forth order.
Yet despite the beautiful creation it did not take long for disorder to enter the world. In Genesis 3 mankind succumbed to the temptation of the devil and brought sin into the world. The rest as they say is history. Disorder or chaos ensues when God’s word is disregarded or dismissed, and mankind substitutes their own desires instead. It is as true today as it ever has been. One of the reasons the world is in its current state is because God’s will has in large part been disregarded. Romans 1.25 says, “who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” Many have rejected God’s word as the source of truth. It’s not as if God has hidden His way from mankind and we are left to figure it out on our own. God has made everything clear (Romans 1.20); people have instead chosen to openly reject Him instead (Romans 1.21). And the punishment that comes from rejecting God’s way man brings upon himself.
Instead of walking looking to God, many are walking looking to themselves. A person who walks not looking where they are going is sure to fall. The same is true of a person who looks unto himself for guidance in the walk of life, instead of looking to God. Proverbs 14.12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Also, Jeremiah 10.23 says, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
A life best lived is one that puts God at its center and accepts His order. God created us; therefore, He knows what is best for us. Isaiah 55.9 says “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God has given through His word a glimpse into His mind and has given us what is necessary for us to know. How much better would the world be if people accepted and submitted to God’s way instead of following their own or the popular opinion of the day. People often forget that God designed us, and the world, if he did that then of course He knows what is best for His creation. When we live by the order God has set forth, we will live the best life here, and it will lead to the best life in eternity. We need to test ourselves daily, to ensure that we are walking on the proper path. “Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind” (Psalm 26.2 ESV).
DS
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